Last Day Struggles
2 Peter
Be Faithful In The Day Of Apostasy
September 19, 2021 • Pastor Jeff Cramer • 2 Peter 1:1–11
Peter was death-bed writing to warn believers of the coming flood of error that would sweep over the church! His first letter dealt with external conditions of Christian suffering: Brought on by government officials & pressure from a hostile culture. In his second letter, It’s a totally different topic being covered: False doctrine & moral compromise IN the church! So Peter writes this rapid-fire letter around (AD 66-67) about the deteriorating conditions within the church. Today he covers what we should do once we've become followers of Christ with seven traits to grow in...
Remember The Scriptures
September 26, 2021 • Pastor Jeff Cramer • 2 Peter 1:12–18, Luke 7:19–23, John 20:24–29
From a first hand perspective, Peter wrote about the need to guard against Apostasy! Which shows up as a slow departure from faith. It’s the little compromises that settle in to our beliefs & daily routines of life. We forget that when temptation hits us, Satan is the one trying to divert us away from God; “Did God really say…” (Gen. 3:1-b), and he tries to seduce our weakness into compromise. That’s temptation – c.p. (James 1:14-16) NKJV BUT, knowing God’s truth allows us to detect Satan’s intrusions, and living out God’s truth allows us to walk in power to defeat apostasy!
Don't Get Derailed
October 3, 2021 • Pastor Jeff Cramer • 2 Peter 2:1–3
Chapter #2 takes us into things that derail biblical faith: False teachers. O.T. Israel experienced false teachers. - e.g. Hananiah in (Jer. 28:1-9) NLT. This type of non-sense shows up in the church today and false prophets & false teachers are having an impact upon this Country in real time! Here's an example...
Looking Back To Move Forward
October 10, 2021 • Pastor Jeff Cramer • 2 Peter 2:4–11
During a time of heightened apostasy & rampant heresy in the church we must continue to study the scriptures and maintain a close walk with Jesus. He amplifies three examples that are designed to provide HOPE in the consistency of God’s control! The angels who sinned (v.4) = (Gen. 6) The ancient world during Noah’s day (v.5) = (Gen. 6) The Cities of Sodom & Gomorrah during Lot’s day (v.6) = (Gen. 19). All of these examples point to the irrefutable FACT that God will judge the unrepentant / wicked / sinners!
Avoid Being Derailed
October 31, 2021 • Pastor Jeff Cramer • 2 Peter 2:12–22, Luke 21:5–36
Peter continues to paint a dark & negative backdrop labeling false teachers as “brute beasts” with savage appetites so the church is NOT carried away by being naïve! The big idea is recognizing the marks of a false teacher so we can Avoid Being Derailed in the Faith. Heads up Church, these “false teachers” are found in BOTH the pulpit & the pew alike!!!
Is Christianity Outdated?
November 7, 2021 • Pastor Jeff Cramer • 2 Peter 3:1–9
Peter saw a day coming when mockery would ATTEMPT to cancel out Christians. This week, Peter changes his instruction to stir the Church up with truth from the OT prophets & the NT Apostles. Peter says he’s trying to stimulate wholesome thinking by refreshing the Believers memory in what God has already done. This is good direction for all of us! It’s health & necessary to go back & stir up your memories with how God has been faithful to see us thru past struggles.
Step Back And Gain Perspective
November 14, 2021 • Pastor Jeff Cramer • 2 Peter 3:9–18
Peter teaches that a judgment is going to happen in an instant and those that dismiss or make light of this by not turning to God will die in their sins. Right now the delay of God is giving unbelievers an opportunity to get right, and believers an opportunity to turn from a fruitless life to a fruitful one. So be ready!